Patriots defeat Holly for District 2 boys championship

South Baca celebrates 50-32 triumph

By Dick Peecher The Lamar Ledger

Posted:
03/04/2014 08:24:24 AM MST

The South Baca Patriots celebrate after winning the championship in the Class 1A District 3 Tournament on Saturday, March 1 at the LCC Wellness Center. The Patriots defeated Holly, 50-32. (John Contreras/The Lamar Ledger)

It's been five years since coach Kalen Grahn has tasted the success of a district championship, and he enjoyed every minute of it Saturday night at the LCC Wellness Center.

Grahn sat alone on his bench and watched his boys celebrate their 50-32 win in the Class 2A District 3 finals over highly-regarded Holly.

The Patriots hit 15-of-16 free throws in the fourth quarter as they pulled away in their second win of the season over the Wildcats.

"This was huge for us," said a happy Grahn after the game. "It has been several years since our kids have felt this. It started when these kids were in junior high. They have worked very, very hard to get to this point.

South Baca's Matthew Crane defends against Holly's Jason Barth during the championship game in the Class 1A District 3 Tournament on Saturday, March 1 at the LCC Wellness Center. South Baca won the title with a 50-32 victory.
(John Contreras/The Lamar Ledger)

"

Kalen's son, freshman Bryce Grahn, hit a big three at the end of period one, as South Baca grabbed a 13-10 lead they would never surrender.

Holly was ice cold in the second quarter, scoring only four points from Preston VanCampen in the last minute of the period to trail 21-14 in a low scoring first half.

In the meantime, junior Matthew Crane was having a big first half, scoring 10 points to lead his Patriots offensively. Crane hit six of six free throws in that crucial second quarter, as South Baca used the free throw line to their advantage.

"Matthew (Crane), in my mind, is one of the best guards in the state 1A or 2A. He has been our leading scorer, our go-to-guy all year. It seems like he leads us in scoring every night.

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He is just a basketball junkie. He has worked so hard to get better," stated Grahn about his leading scorer.

It was more of the same in the third period, as the Patriots increased their advantage.

Up 29-18, the Patriots ran nearly a minute and a half of the clock off running their weave out front before Crane scored on an easy lay-up to give the Patriots a commanding 31-18 lead heading into the final period of play.

It was just a tough night shooting-wise for the Wildcats as they couldn't hit from outside or inside despite many good looks.

South Baca ran their weave throughout the fourth quarter and used the free throw line to their advantage as they pulled away in a fairly comfortable win.

"We knew that our guards were going to have to carry the load for us because of Holly's tremendous size advantage. But our kids inside did a tremendous job of making Holly alter some of their shots, and that was big for us. This is just one step in our journey. We know that we have to go back to work and get ready for next week. Nothing comes easy," smiled a happy Grahn.

Crane was the leading scorer on the night, as he totaled 18 points to lead the Patriot offense. The slick, ballhandling Grahn added 13 in another strong performance.

Only Drew Thompson could get to double figures for Holly, as he finished with 10.

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